A win at home to Bayern Munich is a must for Arsenal if they're to resurrect a failing Champions League campaign. After losses to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiakos, the Gunners need to start winning if they don't want to suffer a premature exodus from European competiton.
Wenger knows the tough task that awaits
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said that the Gunners need "a great performance" to beat Bayern, a team who beat Arsenal by a two goal margin in both their last two matches at Emirates Stadium. Wenger feels that only a win will do against the 5 time European Champions with a 0-0 draw "not being a good result".
A win against Bayern would constitute a huge result for Arsenal, who would be inflicting a loss on a team who have won all nine of their Bundesliga matches and both their Champions League matches so far this season.
A loss on Tuesday would for many signal the end of Arsenal's Champions League hopes for another year. Despite the good form of the German's, Arsene Wenger believes that "there is no team without weaknesses", showing maybe that he believes Arsenal have the quality to exploit Bayern in some way.
Team news
Arsenal defender Gabriel will return to the squad, following an illness that saw him miss Saturday's 3-0 win over Watford. First choice goalkeeper Petr Cech will play his first Champions League match for Arsenal after an injury ruled out David Ospina.
Olivier Giroud will return to the squad after serving the suspension he picked up in the Dinamo Zagreb loss. Long term absentees Jack Wilshere, Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky are all still out.
For Bayern, winger Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery are still out injured. Both harboured dreams of making the squad but coach Pep Guardiola has not included either in the squad. Mario Gotze, Medhi Benatia and Holger Badstuber are also out for the visitors.
Recent form and past meetings
Arsenal have won their last two games since the loss against Olympiakos. A brilliant 3-0 win over Manchester United before the international break was followed by a win over Watford at the weekend. Alexis Sanchez has scored seven in his last four for Arsenal, finally recapturing his good form of last season.
For Bayern, they've won all their 9 Bundesliga matches so far and their two matches in the Champions League. Polish striker Robert Lewandowski has been central to their recent winning streak, he's scored 16 in his last 12.
Arsenal have lost 2 of their last 4 against Bayern Munich, both of which have been at home. A 3-1 loss in 2013, followed by a 2-0 loss a year later led to Champions League exits for Arsenal. Arsenal have got a win and a draw in their last two matches at the Allinaz Arena though.